‘Keep your valuables hidden’ police plea after £700 stolen

POLICE are asking householders not to leave their valuables on view after a burglar broke into a house in Battle and stole hundreds of pounds in cash which had been left sitting on a kitchen work top.

The owner of the house in Mountjoy had gone away overnight, leaving a large glass jar containing £100 in coins, a coffee jar containing £400 in notes and a coffee jar containing £47 in £1 coins in clear view in his kitchen.

Whilst the property was empty, an intruder forced open the patio doors and stole the money from the kitchen.

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An additional £150 in notes, contained in a small bag, was also taken in the raid.

The burglary is believed to have happened some time between 3.10pm on Wednesday August 1 and 2pm the next day,

So far no one has been arrested in connection with the break-in.

Although there have been a few burglaries reported in the Rother area in recent months, Battle Police say they do not believe the latest incident is linked to any others.

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Police Community Support Officer James Armstrong is urging residents in the Battle area to ensure they are not complacent over home security.

PCSO Armstrong said: “Always lock doors and windows even if only going out for a short while or spending time upstairs or in the garden.

“It only takes a minute for an opportunistic burglar to get in and out.

“Never leave spare keys outside or close to doors or windows.

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“Thieves know all of the usual hiding places, such as under plant pots and mats.

“Do not advertise your valuables, keep them out of sight and security mark them.

“Your local Neighbourhood Policing Team regularly conducts security marking events (Operation Marker) - contact them to find out where the next one is.

“We rely on you, so report suspicious behaviour on 101 or in an emergency, or if a crime is taking or about to take place, always dial 999.”

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Any witnesses or anyone with information about the burglary at Mountjoy should call 101 quoting serial 0950 of August 2.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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